What does this mean? Feathers are weird...

I am a new chicken owner this year. I have cried from losing chickens to hawks, owls and neighborhood dogs. I finally have a little flock of 4 (one I don't know what it is) and this just happened. Can someone tell me what is wrong?

I am a new chicken owner this year. I have cried from losing chickens to hawks, owls and neighborhood dogs. I finally have a little flock of 4 (one I don't know what it is) and this just happened. Can someone tell me what is wrong?

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Do you have a rooster? Once my rooster grew his spurs my girls backs started to look exactly like that.

Greetings from Kansas, marley 3285, and ! Pleased you joined our community! From the pic it doesn't look too serious and there could be a lot of explanations. One is perhaps a minor molt, however, that is usually - but not always an autumn event. A second possibility is that it got into a little skirmish with one if it's flock mates. Is there a rooster in the batch? When the rooster breeds the hen his toenails often tear out a few feathers in that region. Additionally, there is the possibility of poultry lice or mites - you might give her a close examination for that as well. Still, she looks pretty happy and healthy and mostly feathered so I'd monitor closely for now and I wouldn't be too surprised if those feathers quickly replaced themselves. Best wishes!

When you have the chance, check her vent area and see if you can see anything crawling. If your flock doesn't just come and let you pick them up.... it is easiest to get them after they have gone to roost at night and just use a flash light. No chasing and the flock will remain calm as long as you don't light the whole place up.

I will follow along to see if anyone else has ideas that are different.

True molt is usually a fall thing.... but anything can happen. I have had hens wait until the coldest day of the year to suddenly molt.

Wow. Thanks so much. This is wonderful to have so much info. Just went out to feed and water them and noticed my black and white one (does anyone know what this is?) seems to have the same issue starting and am updated picture of the br Wn one has her side having the same issue. And there seems to be a little blood on some of the coop material. I am a virgin here with chickens. Should I be worried about them? Should I treat them with something? Is so, what and should I eat these eggs. I just literally watched this black and white one lay an egg and looked like perfection. Help?[/IMG]